[NatureNS] elephant grass

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From: "Andy Moir/Christine Callaghan" <slickdog1@gmail.com>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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Date: Sat, 30 Jun 2012 09:13:03 -0300
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Thanks for the replies.  If there were any government scientists left to =
protect the public's interest in these matters, I would feel better.  At =
least Chris has a machete around, left over from her time in the =
Philippines, just in case this breed of elephant grass gets out of =
control.
Andy
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: David & Alison Webster=20
  To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
  Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 7:11 PM
  Subject: Re: [NatureNS] elephant grass


  Hi Lance & All,                June 29, 2012
      Phragmites acts as a very effective trap for wind blown seeds such =
as Ash, Maple and no doubt conifers if there were trees within wind =
reach. Phragmites may well become a monoculture if it is growing where =
nothing else can but on other than marsh/swamp soils it will quickly =
become woodland if there are forest trees nearby. Mowing the perimeter =
twice a year, with a scythe, during the growing season prevents spread =
of Phragmites by rhizomes.

      Miscanthus would be planted on upland soils that can be mowed by =
machine in the spring so spreading off of the field should not be a =
problem, especially if there were a mowed perimeter (in the summer) =
where spreading seems to be a potential threat.

  Yt, Dave Webster, Kentville
    ----- Original Message -----=20
    From: Laviolette, Lance (EXP)=20
    To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca=20
    Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 4:06 PM
    Subject: RE: [NatureNS] elephant grass


    Hi Andy,

    =20

    The plant that I'm most familiar with in eastern Canada that often =
goes by the name of elephant grass is Common Reed aka Phragmites =
australis. Fred Schueler, who is on this list has studied its =
distribution extensively and couldl provide more detailed information =
than I can.=20

    =20

    Wheth er the plan is good or not is another question. Phragmites =
grows extremely rapidly, spreads extremely rapidly and forms dense =
stands in suitable habitat which is any damp ground or wet environment. =
This sounds very suitable for a biomass crop that would be the basis of =
alternate energy production. However, these same characteristics mean it =
will form a monoculture wherever it is planted or escapes to.=20

    =20

    If Miscanthus giganteus exhibits similar behavior and it is cold =
tolerant then it wouldn't be long before the plant becomes established =
in Nova Scotia wetlands. As an aside, I believe it takes repeated =
burning over the course of several years to see some effective control =
to occur.=20

    =20

    All the best,

    =20

    Lance

    =20

    From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Andy Moir/Christine =
Callaghan
    Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 11:01 AM
    To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
    Subject: EXTERNAL: [NatureNS] elephant grass

    =20

    There have been a couple of articles in the paper lately about a =
proposal to grow and burn elephant grass, Miscanthus giganteus, to =
generate electricity.    The proponent says there is lots of abandon =
agricultural land in Nova Scotia that would be suitable for this crop.  =
They say elephant grass is not an invasive species.  However, I read =
something about it being very invasive in Florida, taking over =
waterways.  Maybe it's another grass called elephant grass.

    Does anyone know about this plant as a crop for harvesting in Nova =
Scotia?  I'd be curious to see some reputable sources on whether this is =
a good plan, or not.

    Thanks< /p>

    Andy in Freeport

    No virus found in this message.
    Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
    Version: 2012.0.2180 / Virus Database: 2437/5092 - Release Date: =
06/25/12

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<DIV><FONT size=3D2 face=3DArial>Thanks for the replies.&nbsp; If there =
were any=20
government scientists left to protect the public's interest in these =
matters, I=20
would feel better.&nbsp; At least Chris has a machete around, left over =
from her=20
time in the Philippines, just in case this breed of elephant grass gets =
out of=20
control.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2 face=3DArial>Andy</FONT></DIV>
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  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3Ddwebster@glinx.c